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Video: Congressman Claims He Was Told Government Could Listen To Phone Calls Without A Warrant

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Video: Congressman Claims He Was Told Government Could Listen To Phone Calls Without A Warrant

Democratic New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler claims he was told in a closed-door briefing that the NSA could listen to a specific phone call, and get a call's "contents" without a warrant, based solely on an analyst's decision. FBI Director Robert Mueller said that wasn't true. Nadler said he asked the same question at the closed-door briefing where he received the different answer. Update Rep. Nadler in a statement to BuzzFeed says: “I am pleased that the administration has reiterated that, as I have always believed, the NSA cannot listen to the content of Americans’ phone calls without a specific warrant.” Update 2 The DNI responds in a statement to claims the NSA can listen to phone calls without a warrant.

Here is Nadler's exchange with Mueller:

Update: The statement from the office of the DNI further shooting down Nadler's original claim:

The statement that a single analyst can eavesdrop on domestic communications without proper legal authorization is incorrect and was not briefed to Congress. Members have been briefed on the implementation of Section 702, that it targets foreigners located overseas for a valid foreign intelligence purpose, and that it cannot be used to target Americans anywhere in the world.

Office of the Director of National Intelligence Public Affairs Office

Andrew Kaczynski is a political reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.